Actually, the EQ-G has a 30lb max load while the Atlas has a 40lb max load.

One day when I purchase only one mount, I always thought of myself as getting either an Atlas or CGEM to mount the EON 120 with an 80mm piggyback. I never thought to get the less expensive Sirius EQ-G... and yet Orion sells this exact combination as a kit:http://www.telescope...actor-telescope

I'm wondering if this combination would handle the added weight of a piggybacked guidescope?

In my opinion, LXD should be better than CG5 because:1.LXD75 has ball bearings on both RA and DEC, CG5 only on RA2.LXD75 has reduced slew rate mode which is good for long tubes

I was able to run my 10" F5 #40 reflector on top of it for visual only. After balancing it was running very smoothly.The only problems I had were:1. EP too high so I had to stand2. Goto errors of about 3degree in the worst caseOtherwise tracking and motors were running just fine.

Hmmm, 6 years and 2 LXD75's later mine have always given excellent service. Accurate GoTo's require good calibration and drive training, most of the problems I've seen were due to skipping the calibration step. A good power source is a big help as well. The few cases of gears slipping that I've seen were easily fixed with a spot of Locktite on the set screws. At least that has been my experience.

All I want is a portable mount that's goto/tracking PLUS easy enough for grab-n-go without power... take it out back, mount the scope, point and enjoy without power, aligning, or the controller, just like my Vixen porta. Only if I want goto/tracking will I bring the battery out and align it.

But this mount needs to be able to hold anything from a little 6lb 80mm refractor to a big 15lb 5" job with a piggybacked guide scope. The reason is I don't really want to spend twice on two mounts.

But what I'm finding out is you can't have it all... I need to buy a good manual alt-az for grab-n-go like my Vixen porta but one that can handle 15lbs... but then I also need to just bite the bullet and buy an Atlas too.